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2025 Vol.19, Issue 6 Preview Page

Research Article

Analysis of Airtightness Performance and Improvement Strategies for Conventional Buildings in Korea

국내 일반건축물의 기밀성능 현황 분석 및 개선방안 연구

Jun-Sung Park1
,
Jeong-Hun Lee2*
박 준성1
,
이 정훈2*
1Master Course, Department of Bio-based Materials, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, Korea
2Assistant Professor, Department of Bio-based Materials, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, Korea
1충남대학교 환경소재공학과 석사과정
2충남대학교 환경소재공학과 조교수
*Corresponding Author
30 December 2025. pp. 332-344
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Abstract

This study analyzed the current airtightness performance of conventional buildings in Korea and proposed improvement strategies focusing on major leakage points, particularly external service penetrations. Airtightness was measured in approximately 280 buildings of various types and completion years using the Blower Door Test method in accordance with ISO 9972. The buildings were classified as low-energy or conventional depending on whether airtight design and construction elements—such as sealing tapes, membranes, and gaskets—were applied. The analysis revealed that the airtightness performance of conventional buildings varied widely, ranging from 0.56 h-1 to 24.81 h-1. Although more recently constructed buildings tended to exhibit slightly improved airtightness, a significant performance gap remained when compared with low-energy buildings. Field inspections identified the primary leakage sources as external penetrations—including plumbing and electrical service openings in ceilings and walls—where inadequate sealing and incomplete finishing allowed outdoor air to infiltrate. To address these issues, detailed airtight construction methods were proposed, emphasizing the use of soft foam filling, high-performance sealing tapes, and specialized gaskets to ensure continuous airtight layers around service penetrations. These measures are expected to significantly reduce infiltration through building envelopes and improve the overall energy efficiency of existing conventional buildings. This study provides a quantitative overview of airtightness performance in Korean buildings and highlights practical construction details for improving weak points in existing structures, thereby contributing to the advancement of energy-efficient and carbon- neutral building practices.

Keywords
Airtightness Performance
Blower Door Test
Infiltration
Conventional Building
키워드
기밀성능
블로우 도어 테스트
침기
일반건축물
References
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2

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Information
  • Publisher :Korean Institute of Architectural Sustainable Environment and Building Systems
  • Publisher(Ko) :한국건축친환경설비학회
  • Journal Title :Journal of Korean Institute of Architectural Sustainable Environment and Building Systems
  • Journal Title(Ko) :한국건축친환경설비학회논문집
  • Volume : 19
  • No :6
  • Pages :332-344
  • Received Date : 2025-10-15
  • Revised Date : 2025-10-29
  • Accepted Date : 2025-11-04
  • DOI :https://doi.org/10.22696/jkiaebs.20250029
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